100 Portraits | 100 Stories | One Question: Who is behind the mask?
About the Project
Poker Face is a collection of 100 oil paintings, each portraying a contemporary human figure in a moment of emotional concealment. The project explores the gap between inner reality and outer performance — the masks we wear in society, relationships, and power structures.
Each portrait captures a specific psychological state: tension, deception, vulnerability, or silent resistance. The title refers not only to the game of poker but to the universal human act of hiding one's true face.
The Concept
"Unexpressed emotions will never die. They are buried alive and will come forth later in uglier ways."
― Sigmund Freud
Poker Face is a visual exploration of this very idea. The 100 portraits capture the moment before the "uglier ways" emerge — the tension of emotions buried alive behind a neutral expression.
Why do we hide?
Who benefits from our silence?
What happens when the mask finally cracks?
Through 100 unique faces, Poker Face examines:
Emotional labor and self-censorship in modern society
The performance of identity in public and private
Power dynamics and the cost of silence
The inevitable return of the repressed
This project is a psychological archive of our time — a map of what we hide, and what hides within us.
Book Publishing
Upon completion of the paintings, a bilingual book (Persian & English) will be published, featuring:
All 100 portraits in full color
An artistic and psychological analysis for each work
Essays on the theme of masking and identity
Behind-the-scenes documentation of the creative process
Edition details:
1,000 copies total
100 limited-edition, hardcover, artist-signed copies
The book will be distributed through:
International galleries during the exhibition
Online platforms (Amazon, official website)
Selected bookstores and art institutions
Physical Exhibition
After the completion of all 100 paintings, a solo exhibition will be held at a reputable gallery (national or international).
Exhibition highlights:
Full display of all 100 portraits
Physical copies of the book for sale
Interactive displays and guided tours (in-person and virtual)
Live Q&A sessions with the artist
Target exhibition period: 2027
NFT Component (Web3)
Poker Face exists both physically and digitally.
1/1 NFTs
A selection of key portraits (approximately 20-30 works) will be minted as one-of-one digital assets.
Each NFT includes high-resolution artwork + exclusive behind-the-scenes content.
NFT holders will receive:
First access to the physical exhibition
Discounted or signed copies of the book
Behind-the-scenes updates during the painting process
Project Timeline
Phase Duration Activity
Phase 1 Now – 2026 Painting in progress (10 portraits completed)
Phase 2 2026 – Early 2027 Continue painting, NFT minting begins
Phase 3 Mid 2027 Book publishing + Physical exhibition
Phase 4 2027 – Beyond Global book distribution + Future projects
Current Status
Paintings completed: 10 out of 100
Next milestone: Completing 50 portraits before NFT launch
Exhibition venue: In negotiation (will be announced)
Contact & Support
If you are interested in:
Collaborating as a gallery partner
Collecting NFTs from this project
Sponsoring the book or exhibition
Please reach out via the Contacts page or email:
m.shoart.nft@gmail.com